Chapter 7
Monroe
I’m free.
With the wind in my hair, the sun on my face, and the rolling mountains of Montana surrounding us, every weight I’ve ever carried on my shoulders is gone. Dissipating like water drying in a creek.
I was tense at first when Shaw put me in the saddle in front of him. The new feelings he evoked in me as he plundered my mouth in his office, then held me against the door, and now, with his arms wrapped around me to handle the reins, has me frazzled.
From the moment we cleared the gates to his pasture, Shaw has allowed Ripper—his horse—complete control. He’s dictating where we’re going, and for once, I’m not stressed about what happens next.
As the horse under us slows to a trot, I open my eyes and take in our surroundings.
Lush trees cover the valley of the mountain we’re passing through.
The gurgle of meandering water can be heard in the distance, and as we move past a small clearing, I see deer grazing.
They stop to stare when they see us, but otherwise, we’re not perceived as a threat.
The warmth of Shaw’s fingers skimming under my shirt and across my flesh has goosebumps arising and my breathing growing harsher. He must frequently take this route because Ripper seems to know exactly where we’re going as his master kisses along my exposed shoulder.
I try to restrain my reaction to his ministrations, but I miserably fail as I melt into his protective frame. There’s something about this man that makes me inherently trust him. I want to explore these feelings Shaw brings out in me, and I want to push my boundaries.
“Well…” His hot breath brushes my throat. “What do you think?” He flattens his palm across my quivering belly, and all I can think is that I need relief. But I know that is not what he means.
My vision clears as I gaze around us. Sucking in a sharp breath at the magnificent landscape before us, I’m in awe of the rippling creek, bright wildflowers, and lush field.
“It’s stunning,” I whisper, crestfallen when he lets me go to get down off Ripper. After helping me off and settling on my feet, Shaw opens the saddlebags and pulls out the items for our picnic.
My legs are sore and shaky because I’m not used to riding, so I stay where I am and soak up the scenery around me. Everything is green, plush, and colorful. Spring is in full swing in the Crazy Mountains.
After taking a couple of hesitant steps, my legs steady themselves, and I’m free to wander around. Dipping down to smell the flowers, I see a fuzzy bumblebee floating from one blossom to another, like he’s skipping along, and I feel the gentle smile work across my lips.
Sitting in the tall grass, I don’t hesitate to lay flat on my back.
Allowing the full sun to beat across my body, I close my eyes and take deep breaths, inhaling the world around me and imprinting it in my memories.
This is a moment I’ll be able to take with me always.
Pull out on those trips across the country and remember a time when I simply enjoyed life around me.
Feeling a shadow block the sun, I peek up to see Shaw standing a few feet away, his eyes sliding up my body from toe to tip before joining me in the grass.
Rolling over to cover my body, Shaw pulls one of my legs up to rest against his hip and leans on one arm while the other caresses through my hair.
“I can feel the change in you here.” Our eyes meet, and I nod. “I knew you’d like it.” Bending forward, I meet him for the kiss this time and don’t hesitate to allow him to take control of the movements.
Grasping his shoulders, I knead the muscles I feel with my fingertips as he slips his tongue past my lips, dueling with mine. So lost in the sensations, I don’t register how much time has passed before he’s pulling back with a groan.
“There are a lot of wicked things I’d like to do to you right now.” He bites his lip as his eyes flick down to our entangled legs. “And I’m going to, one day very soon.”
“Like what?” I don’t know how or where I found the courage to ask, but the question has popped out now, and I can’t take it back. Nor do I want to.
A sexy smirk lifts the corner of his lips, and his eyes darken before he speaks. Sitting back on his heels, Shaw grasps my ankle in his palm, lifting my leg to rest across his chest.
I’m spellbound as he speaks. “I’d start with kissing along the sensitive skin here.
” His lips move along my ankle. “Then I’d slowly make my way up your calf.
” Finger gliding along the covered muscle.
“I’d leave little bites here.” He pinches the inside of each thigh—“and here”—before moving closer to the apex.
“What else?” I am transfixed by his hands.
His stare meets mine, and he holds it as his hand covers my sex completely. “I’d lick, suck, and bite across this delicate pussy until you screamed my name. Then I’d continue on until you lost your voice and begged me to take you.”
My entire core throbs with desire for everything he’s promising, yet, I’m still terrified. Afraid of what will happen afterwards.
“I’d cover your body from head to toe with mine, show you what it’s like to be taken by a real man, and make sure you crave me every minute of every day from then on.”
I have no idea what to say. Not because I don’t want it to happen, but because if I speak now, I might beg Shaw for everything he’s just promised me.
* * *
Shaw
Monroe is at war with her mind. She craves everything I just said, and I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that my dick is rock hard from just telling her what I’d like to do.
I left off the part about riding her from behind, taking everything she has to offer, because I think that would scare her off.
Eventually, I know she’ll be ready for it, though.
Rolling away from her tempting body, I lay on my back beside her, staring up at the cloudless sky and trying to imagine what she’s thinking.
I recognize that I can’t begin to understand what her life in the spotlight must be like or the damage that comes along with it.
But I want to. I want to know every hardship, all the ups and downs.
And why she’s cooperated for so damn long.
“When I was a little girl, I used to dream of floating from cloud to cloud. Jumping across them like rocks in a creek.”
“And now?”
“I can’t remember the last time I took a moment to stop and admire the beauty of Mother Nature.
” Climbing to her feet, Monroe removes her shoes and poses in one of her ballet stances.
“Ophelia used to make me dance in the rain. We would spend hours in the parking lot of whatever hotel we were staying at and dance, pretending the thunder was our orchestra.”
“That sounds dangerous.” I’m a little angry that someone would force a child to stay out in the elements like that.
“I loved it. I would twirl and pirouette to the beating of every drop, and when the thunder rolled, I would spin until I couldn’t feel my toes.” She does the moves now, mimicking what she once performed.
“Why do you stay?” I can tell she loves the freedom of dancing, but the anxiety of being around people that exploit her bleeds through her voice.
Monroe drops to her knees beside me, her answer cramps my heart. “I’m not good at anything else. What would I do?”
That's a loaded question.
Loaded with her fears and the desires she’s been coerced into forgetting.
“You have plenty of time to figure it out now.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, Mari’s booming call vibrates the valley.
“I could be a cow whisperer, I suppose.” Her unguarded snort and giggle light up her entire face. Monroe thinks she’s this crushed person who follows orders, but as time passes, I’m seeing more and more of the girl who yearns to experience life shining through.
“First, we need to figure out this stalker of yours.” Her mouth droops, and I hate that I did that to her.
“It’s my mother.” Her words stop me as I’m about to get up.
“How do you know?” She shrugs, and I drop back down to the grass. “Tell me what you know.” The words come out sharper than I intend, but I am not a fan of being lied to either.
“I’m not one hundred percent certain, but it makes sense.” I watch as her head drops to her chest, not missing the tears that bubble up in her eyes.
“Some of those threats are very graphic, Monroe. The things left in your rooms… That’s not something that can be faked.” The dead rodents, the pornographic images. Threatening to rape her in the middle of the night. A mother wouldn’t do that, would she?
“I overheard a conversation a couple of months ago.” The way her shoulders sag screams defeat. She believes I’m going to turn on her now.
* * *
Monroe
I should have told Shaw from the moment we arrived. This is a hoax. A lie. A waste of everyone’s time and money.
Just like me.
But I had to get away. I needed to extricate myself from my mother's controlling antics. I can’t stand to be told what to do, say, eat, anymore. My entire life has been one command after another.
And then Shaw touched me. He stood up for me. And he believes I’m worth more than a crown. How in the world am I supposed to give that up?
However, I can’t continue to lie to him anymore.
Shaw deserves the truth.
“What did you hear?” His steady voice breaks the deafening silence after my confession.
I still can’t meet his stare, though. “She was hiring someone to pretend to stalk me. Told them what to do, how to say it. I don’t even know why she would go so far as to hire anyone.”
“Monroe, look at me.” When I don’t immediately lift my head, I feel a gentle finger under my chin, and he nudges my head up to look at him. “What she's done, the lies she tells, it has no effect on how I feel about you. Get that thought out of your head right now.”
I want to believe him.
“I suspect you're right about your mother. She was the first one we looked into too. However, the person she hired has become transfixed with you. Whatever role they were playing has become reality, and you are in danger.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ve spent time with you. You are one in a million, and there isn’t a man on earth who wouldn’t become obsessed once they’ve begun to learn who you are.
” The intensity in his stare encourages me to believe him.
“I will catch him, Monroe. I will make sure your mother is met with justice, and when you’re ready, I will help you set up a new life wherever you want. ”